High speed blank feeding device



June 7, 1966 'R- s. BRIGHAM HIGH SPEED BLANK FEEDING DEVICE 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1963 INVENTOR Roe-E2 SBmc-HAM P0 pg 00.

June 7, 1966 R. s. BRIGHAM 3,254,887

HIGH SPEED BLANK FEEDING DEVICE Filed Aug. 6, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEYS June 7, 1966 R. s. BRIGHAM HIGH SPEED BLANK FEEDING DEVICE 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 6, 1963 INVENTOR R0652 3B2 \GHQM \\\\\\\\\\\&s

York

Filed Aug. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 300,318 18 Claims. (Cl. 271-11) Thisinvention relates to a novel high speed separating and feeding devicefor separating and feeding a plurality of relative flat semi-rigidblanks, and in particular, to a high speed separating and feeding devicehaving a fluid actuated member for advancing the blanks along a gatetoward a feeding mechanism, the gate including a fluid port openingoutwardly thereof toward a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks forpneumatically separating the forwardmost blank from the plurality ofblanks and the feeding mechanism thereafter transporting the separatedblank along a predetermined path beyond the gate.

There are numerous conventional machines which separate a top orforwardmost blank from a stack of substantially flat semi-rigid blanks.Usually in machines of this type, the top blank in a stack is separatedfrom the stack by a lifting device, such as a reciprocal Vacuum arm,which carries the separated blank into a drive means, such as feedrolls.

- In another conventional separating and feeding machine the top blankis lifted at a leading edge thereof and the trailing edge is contactedby a reciprocal kicker mechanism which pushes the top blank toward aplurality of feed rolls.

In each of these types of conventional feeders, and numerous others, thespeed of feed is limited by the reciprocal movement of the liftingdevice, and in these feeders using a kicker, the speed of feed isfurther limited by the inertia of the blank being pushed forward and theamount of force that can be sustained by the blank from the kicker andyet remain undamaged.

The novel separating and feeding device of the present invention doesnot utilize reciprocal lifting and feeding .components of theconventional type and therefore fed blanks are maintained relativelydamage-free and the speed of feed is extremely high.

1 There are other types of conventional blank separating and feedingdevices which utilize driven feed rolls .to

separate a top blank from a stack by overcoming the coefficient offriction between the top blank and a next succeeding blank. When suchfeeding devices are used to feed metallic or paperstock blanks of asemi-rigid, partially flexible nature the friction between a top blankand a succeeding blank is not at all times overcome by the feed rolls.This results in blank misfeed and at times in a double-blank feed if themisfeed is not compensated for by the feeding device.

The separating and feeding device of this invention overcomes thedisadvantages in feeding devices of the type described above by firstbreakingthe frictional forces .tending to hold succeeding blankstogether and substantially simultaneously therewith feeding a separatedblank by friction feed means. Since the frictional forces between theblanks are broken prior to feeding, misfeeding and double feeding of theblanks is virtually eliminated.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel highspeed separating and feeding device which overcomes disadvantagesinherent in conventional feeding mechanism by providing a novelseparating and feeding device including a support and a plurality offeed rolls rotatably journalled to the support, a slide for advancing aplurality of relatively flat semi-rigid blanks toward the feed rolls, afluid cylinder having a first portion secured to the support and asecond portion secured to the slide United States Patent whereby theintroduction-of fluid into the cylinder causes movement of the secondportions and the slide secured 3,254,887 Patented June 7, 1966 theretotoward the feed rolls, a gate located adjacent the feed rolls and afluid port in the gate opening outwardly of the gate toward the feedrolls for directing fluid toward a forwardmost of the plurality ofblanks whereby a forwardmost of the blanks is separated from theplurality of blanks and substantially simultaneously therewith theforwardmost blank is transported by the feed rolls along and beyond thegate.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel highspeed separating and feeding device of the type above-described whereinthe port and the fluid cylinder are in fluid communication with eachother, and with a common source of pressurized fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel high speedseparating'and feeding device of the type described, and including meansfor adjusting the gate with respect to the feed rolls.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel high speedseparating and feeding device which includes a plurality of rotatablefeed rolls, a blank-advancing slide normally positioned at one side ofthe feed rolls, a fluid cylinder operatively connected between thesupport and the slide for advancing the slide and a plurality ofsemirigid blanks toward the feed rolls, and in addition, to provide agate located adjacent the feed rolls, the gate including a fluid portopening outwardly thereof toward the feed rolls for directing fluidunder pressure toward a forwardmost of the blanksadvanced by the slidewhereby a forwardmost of the blanks is separated from the plurality ofblanks, the gate being secured to the fluidcylinder and the fluidcylinder being adjustable with respect to the feed rolls wherebyadjustment of the fluid cylinder causes adjustment of the gate withrespect to the feed rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel high speedseparating and feeding device of the type immediately above-described,and in addition, to provide the gate with a first guiding surface forguiding a forwardmost blank along and beyond the gate and a secondguiding surface for guiding the plurality of blanks along the gatetoward the feed rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel high speedseparating and feeding device of the type heretofore described whereinthe slide is movably and guidably mounted on the fluid cylinder forsliding move- 7 ment toward and away from the feed rolls.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

.In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a high speed separating and feedingapparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustratesa plurality of semirigid blanks supported on edge in a holder, apneumatically advancing slide urging the blanks toward a pair of drivenrolls for movement along a predetermined path toward and beyond anadjustable bell crank assembly and a gearing arrangement for driving theplurality of rolls.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1 andillustrates the gearing assembly with more clarity, an adjustingmechanism for adjusting the bell crank assembly parallel to thepredetermined path of travel of the blanks and a discharge idler rollcarried by the bell crank assembly.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3of FIGURE 1 and illustrates a starter roll, a gage roll and a dischargeroll all driven lay-the gear assembly.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44of FIGURE 1, and illustrating the bell crank assembly and the mechanismfor adjusting the bell crank assembly parallel to the predetermined pathof travel established by theplurality of rolls.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIGURE 1and illustrates a fluid cylinder adjustably mounted by a dovetailconnection to a plate of the separating and feeding apparatus, a slidethreadably mounted on the fluid cylinder and a gate having a fluid portin communication through a needle valve with a source of fluid pressure.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 66of FIGURE 2, and more clearly illustrates the arrangement of the fluidcylinder, the slide and the gate as well as the adjusting mechanism foradjusting the bell crank assembly with respect to the predetermined pathestablished by the rolls.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic top plan view with parts shown in cross-section,and illustrates a plurality of :blanks being urged toward a narrow fluidemitting orifice in the gate and a forwardmost blank just prior to beingseparated from the plurality of blanks by a blanket of fluid pressure. v

FIGURE 8 is a schematic top plan view with parts shown in section andillustrates the forwardmost blank separated from a next succeeding blankby a blanket of fluid pressure and being urged by the blanket of fluidpressure toward the feed rolls.

The high speed separating and feeding device is generally designated bythe reference numeral 10 and includes a mounting plate 11 having aplurality of mounting holes 12 formed therein. The mounting plate 11 issubstantially rectangular and is welded or otherwise secured in aconventional manner to a substantially cylindrical drive shaft housing13. Another plate 14 (see FIGURE 2) is welded to the cylindrical driveshaft housing 13 and is also welded to the plate 11. A substantiallytriangular reinforcing plate 15 (see FIGURE 3) is welded to the driveshaft housing 13 and the plate 11 to rigidify these latter two elements.

A reinforcing channel 16 (see FIGURE 6) of a substantially U-shapedcross-sectional configuration is welded to a bottom plate 17 and a topplate 18. The reinforcing channel 16 is secured to the plate 14 by aplurality of bolts 20 (only one being illustrated) passing through a leg21 of the reinforcing channel 16 and a spacer plate 22 positionedbetween the leg 21 and the plate 14. A reinforcing bar 23 is securedbetween the bottom plate 17 and the top plate 18 by identical screws 24.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a main drive shaft25 is rotatably journalled in a bore 26 of the cylindrical drive shafthousing 13 by a pair of identical anti-friction bearings 27 (only onebeing illustrated) seated in a counterbore 28 at each end of the shafthousing 13. A retaining ring 30 maintains each of the anti-frictionbearings 27 within the ends of the drive shaft housing 13. A main drivebevel gear 31 is secured by a key (not shown) to an end portion 32 ofthe main drive shaft 25. The bevel gear 31 is driven in a conventionalmanner to rotate the main drive shaft 25 in a counterclockwise directionas viewed in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

A gear 33 is secured to a collar 34 keyed to an opposite end portion 35of the main drive shaft 25 by a key 36. A flanged bushing 37 isrunning-fit on the opposite end portion 35 of the main drive shaft 25.

The flanged bushing 37 is pressed in an opening or bore 38 formed in anapex portion 40 (see FIGURE 1) of an arcuate adjusting plate 41. Thearcuate adjusting plate 41 overlies and is spaced from'the top plate 18.The arcuate adjusting plate 41 is free to pivot about the axis of theshaft 25 at the apex portion 40 and may be secured in any adjustedposition thereof by a bolt 42 passing through an arcuate slot 43 in theadjusting plate 41 and threadably received in an extension 44 (seeFIGURE 2) of the plate 14.

A gear 45 is secured to the arcuate adjusting plate 41 by a bolt 46 andis driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 by the gear 33.A similar gear 47 in mesh with the gear 45 is secured by a bolt 48 tothe arcuate adjusting plate 41 and rotates in a counterclockwisedirection.

Gear teeth 49 of a gear 50 are in mesh with the gear 47. The gear 50 isformed from two separate gears which are secured together and journalledto the top plate 18 by a bushing 51 and a bolt 52. The gears 33, 4'5, 47and 50 constitute a gear assembly, which through the gear 50, rotatethree shafts 53, 54 and 55 journalled between the top plate 18 and thebottom plate 17.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the shaft 53 isprovided with a reduced end portion 56 journalled in a bore 57 of thebottom plate 17 by anti friction bearing 58. An opposite end portion 60of the shaft 53 is similarly journalled in a bore or aperture 61 of thetop plate 18 by an anti-friction bearing 62. A gear 63 is suitablyattached to the end portion 60 of the shaft 53 and meshes with aplurality of teeth 64 of the gear 50. Starter rolls 65 and 66 arepress-fit on the shaft 53 and each of these starter rolls carries anidentical resilient band 67 which is preferably constructed of plasticor rubber.

The shaft 54 has a reduced end portion 68 journalled in an aperture 70of the bottom plate 17 by an anti-friction member 71. An oppositereduced end portion 72 of the shaft 54 is journalled in a counter-boredopening 73 of the top plate 18 by an anti-friction bearing 74. A gear 75press-fit upon a sleeve 76 secured to the reduced end portion 72 of theshaft 54 meshes with the teeth 64 of the gear 50. Gage roll 77 islocated centrally of the length of the shaft 54.

The shaft 55 has a reduced end portion 78 journalled in an aperture 79of the bottom plate 17 by anti-friction member 80. An opposite reducedend portion 81 of the shaft 55 is rotatably journalled in an aperture 82of the top plate 18 by an anti-friction bearing 83. A gear 84 press-fitupon a sleeve 85 carried by the reduced end portion 81 of the shaft 55meshes with the gear 75 carried by the shaft 54.

An identical discharge roll 86 is carried by the shaft 55 on each sideof a substantially large cylindrical portion 87 of the shaft 55. Each ofthe discharge rolls 86 includes a metallic sleeve 88 press-fit upon theshaft 55 and three identical rubber rings 90 bonded or otherwise securedto a periphery of each sleeve 88.

A fluid operated blank advancing and separating assembly 91 is bestillustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The blankadvancing and separating assembly 91 includes a housing 92 secured tothe bottom plate 17 of the separating and feeding apparatus 10 by a pairof identical threaded bolts 93 in a manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE5 of the drawings. The housing 92 includes an interior chamber 94receiving an adjusting screw 95 carried by a shaft 96. The shaft 96projects outwardly of the housing 92 as viewed in FIG- URES 1 and 2 ofthe drawings and is provided with a knurled handle 97.

A dovetail guide slot 98 in the housing 92 opens upwardly away from thebottom plate 17 and receives there in a dovetail portion 100 of a fluidcylinder 101. A threaded portion 102 of the dovetail portion 100 opensinto the interior chamber 94 of the housing 92. The adjusting screw 95threadably engages the threaded portion 102 of the dovetail portion 100.Thus, as the knurled handle 97 is turned, the shaft 96 rotates the adjusting screw 95 causing movement of the fluid cylinder 101 with respectto the housing 92 because of the threaded engagement of the adjustingscrew 95 and the threaded portion 102 of the dovetail portion 100.

A cylindrical bore or chamber 103 (see FIGURES 1 and 6) is formed in thefluid cylinder 101. A piston head 104 carried by a shaft 105 projectingoutwardly of the fluid cylinder 101 as viewed in FIGURE 6 of thedrawings is slidably mounted in the chamber 103. The portion of thepiston 105 projecting outwardly of the fluid cylinder 101 is secured toa plate 106 by a threaded bolt 107. The plate 106 is secured to a slide108 by a pair of identical bolts 110, only one of which is illustrated.

The slide 108 is slidably carried by the fluid cylinder 101 for movementtoward and away from the starter rolls 65, 66 and the gate roll 77 as isshown in FIG- URES 1 and 6 of the drawings.

The slide 108 includes a body 109 (see FIGURE 5) of a generally H-shapedcross-sectional configuration. A slide portion 111 is secured in arecess 112 of the body 110 by a plurality of identical screws 113 (onlyone of which is shown). The slide portion 111 of the slide 108 has aforwardmost surface 114 for contacting and urging a plurality ofsemi-rigid blanks C in a hopper 119 toward the rolls 65 and 77 as shownin FIGURE 6. Identical oppositely directed guide portions 115, 115 areeach secured to opposite sides of the body 109 of the slide 108 byidentical screws 116. The oppositely .directed guide portions 115 of theslide 108 are each received in elongated slots or grooves 117, 117formed in the fluid cylinder 101; The guide portions 115, 115 eachengage an elongated gate 120 having longitudinal edge portions partiallyoverlapping the guide slots 117, 117 of the fluid cylinder 101. The gate120 is secured to the fluid cylinder 101 by a plurality of identicalscrews 121, 121.

It will also be noted that since the gate 120 is secured to the fluidcylinder 101, adjustment of the fluid cylinder 101 by rotating theadjusting screw 95 advances or retracts the gate 120 with respect to thegage roll 77 (see FIGURE 6).

The slide 108 is advanced toward the rolls 65 and 77 of FIGURE 6 byintroducing fluid, such as air under 'pressure, from .a suitable sourceto a fitting 122 (see FIGURE 5) threaded to the fluid cylinder 101. Thefitting 122 opens into a main bore 123 in the fluid cylinder 101. Themain bore 123 is in fluid communication with the cylindrical bore orchamber 103 in the fluid cylinder 101 by means of a passage 124 openingthrough a port 125 in a gasket 126 in the chamber 103. Fluid underpressure, such as air, flows through the fitting 122, the main bore 123,the passage 124 and the port 125 into the cylindrical chamber 103thereby urging the piston head 104 inwardly as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 6of the drawings. This movement of the piston head 104 is transmitted tothe slide 108 through the portion of the piston .105 extending outwardlyof the fluid cylinder 101 and the plate 106 secured to the slide 108.

As the slide 108 advances toward the rolls 65 and 77, the blanks C inthe hopper 119 are urged toward these rolls by the surface 114. As eachof the body blanks C i is advanced against the starter roll 65, therotation thereof urges or ,feeds each blank from left-to-right towardand beyond the gate 120 as viewed in FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

To insure that a single blank of the plurality of blanks C is fedwithout interference from an adjacent blank, the gate 120 is providedwith a relatively, elongated narrow fluid emitting orifice or port 127.The fluid emitting orifice or port 127 is in fluid communication withthe main bore 123 of the fluid cylinder 110 by means of an elongatedpassage 128 in the gate 120 opening through a port 130 in the fluidcylinder 101 into-the rnain bore 123. A threaded bleed valve 131 (seeFIGURE 5) is adjustable in a conventional manner to regulate thepressure of the air being emitted through the fluid emitting orifice 127of the gate 120. In addition, the gate 120 is provided with a guidingsurface 132 which is angularly related to the path of travel of theplurality of blanks C.

The operation of the blank advancing and separating j assembly 91 willbe best described by referring to FIG- 6 URES 6 through 8 of thedrawings. As fluid, such as air, is introduced into the chamber 103 (seeFIGURE 6) the slide 108 is advanced toward the rolls 65 and 77 in themanner heretofore described. During the advancement of the slide 108 thesurface 114 thereof advances the plupinges against a leading edgeportion 133 of the blank A adjacent the orifice 127 and separates theforwardmost blank A from the remaining blanks by a thin air film or airblanket, (see FIGURE 8). This thin air film urges the forwardmost blankA into contact with the starter rolls and 66, and the gage roll 77. Therolls 65, 66 and 77 are rotating and the forwardmost blank A is thus fedbetween a gage surface 134 of the gate and the gage roll 77.

Before the forwardmost blank A is fed beyond the gate 120, the blanksucceeding the forwardmost blank A is separated by air emitted from theorifice 127 as the film of air is being dissipated by the movement ofthe blank A beyond the gate 120. In this manner successive blanks areadvanced, pneumatically separated and fed at a rapid speed beyond thegate 120.

A bell crank assembly 135 (see FIGURES 3, 4 and 6) is carried by thesupport 14 of the separating and feeding apparatus 10. The bell crankassembly 135 comprises a first T-shaped portion 136 having a leg 137 anda pair of oppositely directed arms 138 and 140. The leg 137 has adovetail surface 141 guidably received-in a complementary dovetail slot142 of the support 14. A threaded bore 143 threadably receives a bolt144 forming part of an adjusting mechanism 145 of the 'bell crankassembly 135. The adjusting mechanism 145 includes a bracket 146 (seeFIGURE 6) secured to the support 14 by a pair of identical bolts 147. Aleg 148 of the bracket 146 is provided with a slot 150 opening into arecessed portion 151 between the leg 148 and the support 14. The bolt144 is held captive by .an integral collar 152 thereof received in therecess 151 and a head 153 of the bolt 144 in a manner clearlyillustrated in FIGURE 6. As the bolt 144 is turned, the bell crankassembly 135 is shifted parallel to the path of travel of the blanks Cas the same are being fed by the plurality of rolls 65, 66 and 86.

A bracket 155 (see FIGURES 2 and 4) is secured to each of the arms 138-and 140. A shoulder bolt 156 passes through a bore 157 in each of thebrackets 155 and is thre-adably received in a threaded bore 158 of eachof the arms 138 and 140. Each of the brackets 155 is thuspivotably orrockably mounted to a respective one of the arms 138 and 140. An endportion 160 of each of the pivotally mounted brackets 155 is received inan identical recess 161 in each of the plates 17 and 18. 'A dischargeidler roll 162 having identical end portions 163 is freely rotatablyjournalle'd in opposing bores 164 of the pivotal brackets 155 byidentical anti-friction bearing elements 165 receiving a respective oneof the reduced end portions 163, as is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 4 Iof the drawings.

The purpose of the bell crank assembly 135 is to direct the blanks asthey are fed beyond the gate 120. As is best illustrated in FIGURES 7and 8 of the drawings, the discharge idler roll 162 is normallypositioned in spaced relationship to the driven discharge rolls 86 and aplane through the axes of the rolls 162 and 86 is normal to the path oftravel established by the rolls 65, 66 and 77. In this position of therolls 162 and 86 a' blank pass- 1ng through the nip of these rolls isdirected normally to the plane through the axes of the rolls andparallel to the path of travel established by the rolls 65, 66 and 77.However, by turning the bolt 144 of the adjusting mechanism 145 the axisof the roll 162 of the bell crank assembly 135 can be moved eitherforward or backward of the axis of the roll 86. Either of thesemovements of the I011 162 alters the position of the plane through theaxes of the rolls 162 and 86 from the position normal to the path ofblank travel, yet .a blank passing through the rolls 162 and 86 passesat a right angle to the plane through the axes of the rolls 162 and 86.Thus by moving the roll 162 either forward or backward with respect tothe roll 86, the blanks C can be selectively directed beyond the gate120 and the rolls 162 and 86.

The distance between the rolls 86 and 162 is adjustable to accommodateblanks of varied thicknesses by limiting the pivoting of the dischargeidler roll 162. The pivoting of the discharge idler roll 162 of the bellcrank assembly 135 is adjustable by a set screw 166 (see FIG- URE 2)threadably received through the support 15 and projecting into abutmentwith a rear surface 167 of each of the pivotal brackets 155 (see FIGURE6). As the screws 166 are threaded against the surface 167 of each ofthe pivotal brackets 155, the brackets 155 are pivoted in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 6 of the drawings todecrease the gap between the discharge idler roll 162 and the drivendischarge rolls 86. Conversely, threaded withdrawal of each of thescrews 166 limits clockwise pivoting of the discharge idler roll 162 asa blank C is fed between the same and the driven discharge rolls 86.

While the novel separating and feeding apparatus 10 of this inventionhas been described in a manner in which the blanks C are fed on edge, itis to be understood that this description is merely illustrative of apreferred embodiment of this invention and the separating and feedingapparatus 10 can feed the. blanks C in a horizontal plane. For example,by rotating FIGURE 6 of the drawings 180 degrees it will be readilyobserved that a plurality of blanks C are being fed in a horizontalplane from right-to-left as viewed in this inverted figure. Since theblanks C are preferably made of a realtively lightweight metal, such asaluminum, the fluid emitting orifice 127 is still effective to separatea now lowermost of the blanks C from the remainder of the blanks toeffectively separate the same by a cushion of air in the mannerheretofore described in the preferred embodiment of this invention. Insuch a configuration for horizontal feeding the effect of gravity wouldreplace the necessity for a slide such as that herein disclosed, subjectto variations imposed by the stack height. Other means of aiding orsupplanting the force of gravity in such an instance could take variousforms, such as feeding from an auxiliary stack to a constant heightstack, etc.

While the separating and feeding device herein disclosed is specificallyconstructed for feeding metallic blanks such as are used in themanufacture of can bodies, the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particular blanks being fed. Any substantially semi-rigid flatblanks, such as paperstock or plastic material blanks, can be fed by thenovel device of this invention and this disclosure is intended toencompass the separating and feeding of all such blanks and theirequivalents.

The high speed separating and feeding device illustrated in the drawingsembody the invention in a preferred form, but it is intended that thedisclosure be illustrative rather than definitive, the invention beingdefined in the appended claims:

I claim:

1. Apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flatblanks comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successiveones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, aslide opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks, meansfor advancing said slide and the plurality of blanks toward theplurality of rolls, means for directing fluid toward the leading edgesof the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality ofblanks is separated from the remaining blanks, said fluid directingmeans being operative for wholly separating the forwardmost blank fromthe remaining blanks and urging the forwardmost blank toward and againstthe rolls by -a fluid cushion created by the fluid directing means, andmeans for adjusting said fluid directing means relative to said rolls.

2. The apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relativelyflat blanks as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for directing fluidis a gate provided with a fluid emitting orifice, said gate having asurface in opposed spaced relationship to a peripheral surface of one ofsaid rolls, and means for varying the spacing between saidlast-mentioned gate and roll surfaces whereby blanks of varyingthickness can be fed by said apparatus.

3. The apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relativelyflat blanks as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for directing fluidis a gate inclined with respect to the predetermined path established bythe plurality of rolls, whereby leading edges of the blanks I areadvanced instaggered relationship toward said rolls, and said. gateincluding fluid emitting orifice, means for separating only one of theblanks from the remaining ones of the plurality of blanks by directingfluid from said fluid emitting orifice means only between said one blankand a next adjacent blank.

4. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flatblanks at a high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted totransport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along apredetermined linear path, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing theplurality of blanks, pneumatic means for advancing said slide and theplurality of blanks toward the plurality of rolls, a gate positionedadjacent the plurality of rolls, said gate cooperating with one of theplurality of rolls to form an exit opening for each individual blank fedby the plurality of rolls along the predetermined path, said exitopening ranging in size between slightly greater than the thickness of ablank to slightly less than twice the thickness of a blank, said gateincluding fluid emitting orifice means for directing fluid toward theleading edges of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of theplurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks and is spacedtherefrom by a fluid cushion created by the fluid emitted by the fluidemitting orifice.

5. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein the fluid emitting orificemeans is an elongated fluid emitting orifice having a length which issubstantially equal to the width of the plurality of blanks- 6. Thedevice as defined in claim 5 wherein the gate includes a surfacedefining an acute angle with the predetermined linear path whereby theplurality of blanks are guided by said surface in staggered relationshiptoward said plurality of rolls by the advancement of the slide.

7. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein said pneumatic means is afluid cylinder having a piston mounted in a chamber of the fluidcylinder, and said piston is connected to the slide whereby retractionof the piston into the chamber causes advancement of the slide towardthe plurality of rolls.

8. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein the fluid emitting orificeof the gate and the chamber of the fluid cylinder are in fluidcommunication with each other and with a common source of pressurizedfluid.

9. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flatbanks at high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transportsuccessive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linearpath, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing .the plurality ofblanks, pneumatic means for advancing said slide and the plu rality ofblanks toward the plurality of rolls tioned adjacent th lural f 'llsi' sing with one of the plurality of rolls to form an exit opening for eachindividual blank fed by the plurality of rolls along the predeterminedpath, said gate including a substantially elongated narrow fluidemitting orifice for directing fluid toward the leading edges of theplurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality of blanks isseparated from the remaining blanks and is spaced therefrom by a fluidcushion created by the fluid emitted by the fluid emitting orifice, saidpneumatic means being a fluid cylinder having a piston mounted in achamber of the fluid cylinder, said piston being connected to the slidewhereby the movement of the piston in relation to the chamber causesadvancement of the slide toward a plurality of rolls, said gate beingcarried by the fluid cylinder and means are provided for adjusting thefluid cylinder with respect to the plurality of rolls.

10. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein the slide is guidablymounted for advancement upon the fluid cylin der.

11. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flatbanks at high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transportsuccessive ones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linearpath, a slide opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks,pneumatic means for advancing said slide and the plurality of blankstoward the plurality of rolls, a gate positioned adjacent the pluralityof rolls, said gate cooperating with one of the plurality of rolls toform an exit opening for each individual blank fed by the plurality ofrolls along the predetermined path, said gate including a substantiallyelongated narrow fluid emitting orifice for directing fluid toward theleading edges of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of theplurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks and is spacedtherefrom by a fluid cushion created by the fluid emitted by the fluidemitting orifice, said pneumatic means being a fluid cylinder having apiston mounted in a chamber of the fluid cylinder, said piston beingconnected to the slide whereby the movement of the piston in relation tothe chamber causes advancement of the slide toward a plurality of rolls,said gate being carried by the fluid cylinder and the slide is guidablymounted for advancement upon the fluid cylinder.

12. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flatbanks at a high speed comprising a plurality of rolls adapted totransport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along apredetermined linear path, means opposing said rolls for advancing theplurality of blanks toward the rolls, a gate positioned adjacent theplurality of rolls, said gate cooperating with one of the plurality ofrolls to form an exit opening for each individual blank fed by theplurality of rolls along the pre determined path, said exit openingranging in size between slightly greater than the thickness of a blankand slightly less than twice the thickness of a blank, said gateincluding fluid emitting orifice means for directing fluid toward theleading edge of the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of theplurality of blanks is separated from the remaining blanks and is whollyspaced therefrom by a fluid cushion created by the fluid emitted by thefluid emitting orifice means.

13. The device as defined in claim 12 wherein the advancing meansopposing the rolls includes pneumatic means, said gate being carried bysaid pneumatic means, and means for adjusting the pneumatic means withrespect to the rolls whereby the size of the exit opening between saidgate and said one of the plurality of rolls can be adjusted.

14. A device for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flatbanks disposed in a generally vertical plane at high speeds comprising aplurality of rolls having vertical axes, said rolls being adapted totransport successive ones of the plurality of blanks along apredetermined linear path, means for advancing the plurality of blankstoward the rolls, a gate positioned adjacent the plurality of rolls,said gate being in a generally vertical plane and defining an exitopening with one of the plurality of rolls through which each individualblank is fed by the plurality of rolls along the predetermined path,said gate including a surface defining an acute angle with respect tothe predetermined linear path whereby the plurality of blanks are guidedby said surface in staggered relationship toward the plurality of rolls,and said gate including fluid emitting orifice means for directing fluidbetween opposed surfaces of the leading edges of forwardmost andadjacent ones of the plurality of blanks for wholly separating theforwardmost and adjacent blanks and forming a fluid cushion between theforwardmost and adjacent blanks.

15. The device as defined in claim 14 including means downstream of saidgate for altering the direction of said predetermined linear path.

16. The device as defined in claim 15 wherein said altering meansincludes a roll arranged on each' side of said predetermined path, aplane passing through the axes of said last mentioned rolls beinggenerally normal to the predetermined path, and means for shifting oneof the rolls relative to the other of said rolls to vary the angularrelationship between said plane and the linear predetermined path.

17. Apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relatively flatblanks comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to transport successiveones of the plurality of blanks along a predetermined linear path, aslide opposing said rolls for advancing the plurality of blanks, meansfor advancing said slide and the plurality of blanks toward theplurality of rolls, means for directing fluid toward the leading edgesof the plurality of blanks whereby a forwardmost of the plurality ofblanks is separated from the remaining blanks, said fluid directingmeans being operative for wholly separating the forwardmost blank fromthe remaining blanks and urging the forwardmost blank toward and againstthe rolls by a fluid cushion created by the fluid directing means, meansfor adjusting said fluid directing means relative to said rolls, meansfor directing separated blanks in angular relationship to saidpredetermined path, said directing means including means normallydefining a point at right angles to said predetermined path, andadjusting means for altering the angular relationship of said plane andthe predetermined path.

18. The apparatus for separating and feeding a plurality of relativelyflat blanks as defined in claim 17 wherein a roller is arranged on eachside of said predetermined path and said plane is defined by a centerline path to the axes of the last-mentioned rolls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 868,317 l0/l907Allen 271-36 2,660,113 11/1953 Gullixson 101 144 2,673,168 3/1954 Pascoe27l54 2,806,696 9/1957 Bishop 27132 2,862,709 12/ 1958 Labombarde 271322,902,278 9/ 1959 Bradshaw 27162 2,976,803 3/1961 Van Marie 1012362,984,349 5/1961 Mathis 20974 3,042,199 7/ 1962 Welchman 20974 3,099,4427/ 1963 Wendricks 27132 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

ROBERT B. REEVES, R. A. SCHACHER,

Assistant Examiners.

1. APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND FEEDING A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY FLATBLANKS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ROLLS ADAPTED TO TRANSPORT SUCCESSIVEONES OF THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS ALONG A PREDETERMINED LINEAR PATH, ASLIDE OPPOSING SAID ROLLS FOR ADVANCING THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS, MEANSFOR ADVANCING SAID SLIDE AND THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS TOWARD THEPLURALITY OF ROLLS, MEANS FOR DIRECTING FLUID TOWARD THE LEADING EDGESOF THE PLURALITY OF BLANKS WHEREBY A FORWARDMOST OF THE PLURALITY OFBLANKS IS SEPARATED FROM THE REMAINING BLANKS, SAID FLUID DIRECTINGMEANS BEING OPERATIVE FOR WHOLLY SEPARATING THE FORWARDMOST BLANK FROMTHE REMAINING BLANKS AND URGING THE FORWARDMOST BLANK TOWARD AND AGAINSTTHE ROLLS BY A FLUID CUSHION CREATED BY THE FLUID DIRECTING MEANS,D ANDMEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID FLUID DIRECTING MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID ROLLS.